We're here safely!

We’re here safely and having a wonderful time! The flights were pleasant though long, of course, and we arrived here at Mom Tri’s Boathouse last night around 1:30 a.m. We flew Korean Air, and the leg from Seattle to Seoul was on a huge, super nice plane. Tony had a window seat, and I was in the middle next to a small woman from Korea who seemed really nice. We had our own little screens in the backs of the seats in front of us and way more room than usual. I could completely straighten my legs with my feet just under the seat in front of me. The food wasn’t too great, so we didn’t eat much on the flights. We arrived in Seoul exhausted from watching movies and playing games the whole flight instead of sleeping, so we walked around the airport and took some pictures. I went to an “Experiencing Korean Culture” area in the airport and made a traditional handicraft—for free! It was fun. (And, mama, if you want it for your school kids, you can have it and the bag that explains the traditional use.)

Here's my Korean handicraft

We felt like ordering #29 on this menu in the Seoul airport

Ahhh, the exhaustion. This is us in the Seoul airport, ready to sleep to Phuket

I saw the coolest thing ever in a bathroom in the Soule airport. In the women’s restroom, there is a little box at the back of the toilet seat, and the seat is covered with clear plastic like the kind that shopping bags are made of. There is a sign in the stall in every language known to woman that says to press the red button before using the toilet. So I did, and the clear plastic moved around the seat so that fresh plastic was covering the seat and old plastic was crumpled into the box at the back of the seat! Amazing, huh??? (I still couldn’t bring myself to actually sit on a public toilet, but that cover is a great idea!)

As soon as we boarded the plane in Seoul to get to Phuket, I popped a sleeping pill, put on a sleeping mask, and put in ear plugs. I was asleep before all the passengers had finished boarding the flight. I don’t even remember take off. Tony slept most of that flight as well though not as thoroughly b/c he was woken up by flight attendants who wondered if we wanted food or drink. Nope, just sleep, thanks.

Here I am dreaming of a bed...

When we got to Phuket, it took a long time to get through the customs line, but once we did, our bag was right there waiting, and a driver was standing right by the door with “Rebecca Walton, Mom Tri’s Boathouse” on his sign. In the limo, there were cool washcloths and bottled water. It was about a 40-minute drive, but we were bleary with exhaustion, and it was uneventful. When we arrived at the hotel, a nice young man was waiting for us and gave us our coupons for massages and dinners and stuff and walked us to our room, which is so pretty. There were fresh orchids everywhere.

Here is a potted orchid and our plate of fresh fruit (replaced daily!)

Orchids on our pillows and white sheets and comforter

The orchids in the vase are real, and there are toiletries and goodies as well

This morning we woke around 7:30 and had breakfast and then changed into swimsuits and sat on the beach reading books. I ran out into the water and walked back and forth along the beach a few times. The water is slightly cooler than the air, which is warm and very humid. The morning was totally cloud covered, but it was warm and pleasant. At noon the sun came out, and it’s bright and sunny now. Hooray! The waves are really big this time of year, and almost everyone in the water is there to surf. It makes a lateral walk along the beach through the crazy waves super good exercise.

Tony posing with his flip flops off, enjoying the sand

Squinting into the sun... It had been so long since we'd seen it

After that, we went back to the room and sat out on the balcony, and then I used the first of my NINE massage coupons! We got nine 50-minute massages each in the spa here included with our vacation package. Man, it was amazing. Literally from scalp to toes, I got all massaged and feel so relaxed. Not to be a prude, but I’d worried a little about the naked part, but you can wear comfy loose clothing if you prefer, so I wore yoga pants and little tank, which was perfect. That way I could really relax. Now we’re checking email and resting up, about to head down to dinner. The rain hit, and there is wild rain and wind, which we’re enjoying from the balcony. We’ve gotten our sun for the day and escaped unharmed, thanks to lots of sunscreen. (No worries, mama!)

Me, peeling an orange on the balcony

Tony, eating the last of the airline peanuts on the balcony

Here's part of the view from the balcony

Here's more view...

That's it for day one! We'll post again tomorrow and try to get some good beach pics. Love and miss you guys!